How is it possible to hand-build a lid like this from slabs?

Look at the lid on this teapot, I consider it to be a good example of a "standard" yixing shui ping hu style teapot (the kind made by the millions during the cultural revolution) :

Here is a lid I admire a bit more:

it's more crisp, also there is a clear lip ridge for the lid to rest on on the teapot body.

less, complex but look at the curve in the lid.

Then there is this:

*weeps softly* whisper: so perfectThe last one is not really what I'm going for here, though. I'm not there yet... not even close. I just need some ideas for making these lids!

Right now what I can do is make a clay cylinder this is the part of the lid that would go *inside* of the pot. On top of that cylinder I put a round slab that is the saem size as the top of my teapot. Then I cut a hole in the pot body that fits the "inside bit" and fit the lid... here are some photos of me doing that:

After I fit the lid I carve out the inside of the "inside bit." This gives me a basic lid.

So... How can I make it more like the ones I posted? I have tried:

1. Stack slabs of decreasing size, then smooth on the banding wheel but this is too lumpy and not the right shape at all.2. make a thick slab, cut it in a circle then try to carve the shape. ... this isn't symmetrical enough... symmetry in yixing potter comes from tapping, rolling and from using things like a compass or banding wheel... are there any other sources of circular symmetry for slab builders?3. Rolling a ball then cutting of the top and trying to go from there. (this might have promise still)

I'm thinking

1. I'll put a super thin slab on top of the pot to make a lip-- then cut through both when I fit it.2. look for something that can cut that shape?

I guess I would start with pinch pot or hammer and anvil technique, wait until it is leather and scrape smooth inside and out.

Dear All,

I am not sure if this is what is done but if they aren't using a mold, I would take something like some plastic and lay it across the opening in the pot. I would them take a small slab and lay it over the opening. Once it has slumped sufficiently and dried to a little past leather hard, I would remove this piece. You should have the general impression plus a little bit of an edge on the outside. I think it is just a matter of some clean-up after that and maybe adding a coil around the edge?? The slumping should provide you with an exact size lid for the opening. A coil could be added for an inner flange. Just a guess.

Thanks! I have already watched this video and several others. Sadly, this one cuts off before she makes the lid (though it shows part of how she makes a kind of lip...) though I don't think her pot will have the shui ping hu style lid- it's in more of a xi she (round beauty) style.

I guess I would start with pinch pot or hammer and anvil technique, wait until it is leather and scrape smooth inside and out.

Dear All,

I am not sure if this is what is done but if they aren't using a mold, I would take something like some plastic and lay it across the opening in the pot. I would them take a small slab and lay it over the opening. Once it has slumped sufficiently and dried to a little past leather hard, I would remove this piece. You should have the general impression plus a little bit of an edge on the outside. I think it is just a matter of some clean-up after that and maybe adding a coil around the edge?? The slumping should provide you with an exact size lid for the opening. A coil could be added for an inner flange. Just a guess.

Nelly

I'm going to try this.

And no it's not done with molds lol. well, the imitation pots use them.

Though, I'm worried about the air trapped in there.... I need to put a hole in the lid anyway....

And I tried to draw on it a bit too. Naturally that too will take practice.

Still, I think I'll fire this one just to see how it functions if I try to brew with it!

When I get 5 decent pieces I'll go and fire them. Any tips on that process? I'm going to pay a art center to do it for me... "1100C - 1200C" is not specific enough... But that's what I was told. What cone should I ask for?

I'm planning on letting everything dry for about two weeks to avoid any moisture issues.

Thanks! I have already watched this video and several others. Sadly, this one cuts off before she makes the lid (though it shows part of how she makes a kind of lip...) though I don't think her pot will have the shui ping hu style lid- it's in more of a xi she (round beauty) style.